3.5 Lou has very much so the same energy as the Emperor's Edge heroine and I'm here for it. I especially loved how the hero was a strong n silent type all business ex marine type tough guy, but turned into a ball of smiles and sunshine around the heroine. Are that shit up. Appreciated that the romance was more two people working against an external issue rather than having the romance be a bunch of communication issues. They made little quips or statements to each other on how they felt about one another. The hero being a bit jealous and eye rolley when the heroine talked to other (hot) men was silly but accurate. Loved that the heroine called him out on it though, and didn't squish herself or not keep her independence throughout their growing relationship. Loved that they verbalized consent and verbalized that the hero wasn't expecting her to change or become a damsel in distress for him. Twas nice. Digging romantic suspense at the moment. This does end on a cliff hanger for the plot, not romance aspect of the book.